Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Mental illness affects about 1 in 4 adults in America...

Yet it is still an issue few discuss openly. It's certainly not common dinner table conversation material.

With about 60 million Americans suffering from a diagnosable mental illness in any given year, why is it so hard to talk about?

Maybe it's because most mental illnesses seem invisible, only manifesting in our behaviors and thoughts.

One author aims to reduce the stigma around mental illness

In "The End", we enter the mind of a character suffering from the ups and downs of bipolar disorder.

Contrary to public opinion, bipolar disorder is not rare. It affects about 2.6% of Americans every year.

Nichole Hallberg has been secretly writing about her battle with mental illness for most of her life. And since she went public about it, she has used her writing as a tool to decrease the stigma around the common problem in America. One story at a time, it is working.

Nichole Hallberg has published her work on TheMighty.com and on an international Bipolar website. She lives in Southern California with her fiancee and dog. She blogs at thatgirlinbklyn.wordpress.com. And you can follow her on Twitter @nickel_press

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Our new episode features poetry.

Love is complicated. In these poems, discover how sometimes we succeed and how sometimes we fail in our quest to win someone over.

Listen to these four poems now!

It would be kind of difficult to sum up Lord Bison artistically; three parts writer to one part existentialist spoken word performer with an eye for detail who melds sex, the unchecked, dark corners of his mind and social commentary into his prose. A New York City native by way of the Bronx, Lord Bison represents a growing archetype of human beings who feel more comfortable on paper than they do in reality.

Alexander Smith is the creator of this podcast and a poet and fiction writer living in Providence, RI. His work "Saving the Serenity" is forthcoming in Spring 2017 in Frequency Writers "City & Sea". He is currently finishing a novel. Follow him on Twitter @AlexanderWrites

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

It's almost Thanksgiving, so let's talk family.

For many, Thanksgiving is the time of year families unite. No matter how far apart they've grown, this holiday is one time of year where people try to get together.

In today's episode, we hear a fond recollection of one "Crazy Grandpa", who lived life by his rules. And while that won him a lot of enemies, especially his daughter-in-law and wife, it taught his grandson a valuable life lesson.

Listen to Mark Tulin's new short story now!

In this memoir-esque piece of fiction, we learn about a crazy grandfather through one grandson's fond recollections.

From the outside, grandpa was one bad dude (he drank while driving, he cursed everyone out, and he didn't work). But Grandpa Ike's grandson saw the goodness in him and took it to heart. Listen to this energizing piece of fiction on the podcast today!

Learn more about the author:

Mark Tulin is a retired Family Therapist from Philadelphia who now lives in Santa Barbara, California with his wife, Alice. He spends most days writing poetry, short stories and doing yoga on a standup paddleboard in the Pacific Ocean. He has published in the Santa Barbara Independent, Family Therapy Magazine,Smokebox.net, Fiction on the Web, Elephant Journal, Page and Spine and hubpages.com/@marktulin. His website is www.crowonthewire.com.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Timely poetry you should not miss.

"War is the most dynamic cause of change, and I try to learn as much about it as possible," poet and author Gary Beck said.

"Unfortunately, not a lot of it is admirable, twisted by history, politics, lies, etc. But it's oh so human, with all our grotesqueries from the heroic to the ridiculous."

Listen to Gary Beck's war-related poetry!

Learn more about the author:

Gary Beck (author page) has spent most of his adult life as a theater director, and as an art dealer when he couldn’t make a living in theater. He has 11 published chapbooks and 3 more accepted for publication. A sampling of his poetry collections include: Days of Destruction (Skive Press), Expectations (Rogue Scholars Press). His novels include: Extreme Change (Cogwheel Press) and Flawed Connections (Black Rose Writing). Call to Valor will be published by Gnome on Pigs Productions.

His original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway. His poetry, fiction and essays have appeared in hundreds of literary magazines. He currently lives in New York City.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Are you fed up?

We’ve all been there. Reached the breaking point where enough is enough. But then we just don’t ‘push the button’ and allow our rage to explode like we desire. Then, it just festers...

Maybe this is for the best. If our rage was unchecked, there’s no telling the consequences.

But what if we did lash out like we do in our fantasies? What if we yell at our oppressor? Fight back? Will we be happier? Vindicated? Will we have served justice?

Listen to 'Not This Time' by Scott D. Pomfret today!

When one man feels chronically unappreciated at work, he plots ways to get revenge against his boss. But when presented with an opportunity to enact justice, will he? Will this scorned employee be able to bring his vengeful fantasies to life?

Learn more about the author:Scott D. Pomfret is the author of The Second Half: A Gay American Football Story, The Hunger Man, and Only Say the Word, and dozens of short stories published in, among other venues, Post Road, New Orleans Review, Fiction International, and Fourteen Hills.

Scott is lucky to be able to write from his tiny Boston apartment and even tinier Provincetown beach shack, which he shares with his partner of fifteen years, Scott Whittier. He is currently at work on a Know-Nothing Novel, a sequel to The Hunger Man set in antebellum New Orleans.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

It's Almost Halloween. Get Scared!

Are you ready for a horror story? This week we have a new scary tale from David A. Voyles of North Carolina.

In the story, a man loses his daughter when she drowns in a river. He dedicates his life to saying 'I'm sorry." But he never could guess that her spirit would manifest as this...

Listen to 'One More Offering' today!

This horror tale will keep you engaged. Soak up the vibrant imagery and allow the creepiness to creep into your earbuds.

Learn more about the author:

David A. Voyles writes primarily horror fiction: ghost stories, weird tales, supernatural or psychological thrillers--basically anything dark and scary. He taught high school English for over thirty years but now owns and hosts a unique ghost tour business with his son in Asheville, NC, Dark Ride Tours, which features a haunted 1972 Cadillac hearse. You can see this wonderful hearse on their creepy website at DarkRideTours.com and on their Dark Ride Tours Facebook page.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

In these three short stories, you'll hear an author's take on love, addiction, sex & insecurity. Based on true experiences, the author has created stories to capture moments in life where volition has been snubbed.

Get cast into a vignette, absorbed into the scene, and see through these lenses.

Discover a tortured existence addicted to sex!

These three absorbing stories will draw you in for the entire episode.

Learn more about the author:

R.E Hengsterman is a writer and film photographer who deconstructs the human experience through photographic images and words. He currently lives and writes in North Carolina. You can see more of his work at www.REHengsterman.com and find him on Twitter at @rehengsterman

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

After hundreds of you tuned in, your favorites are clear.

Our 3 MOST POPULAR EPISODES are...

#1 Poetry by Ivan Jenson, Charles Braddy, and Alexander Smith

Listen to never-before-heard poetry by Ivan Jenson, Charles Braddy, and Alexander Smith. Eight poems are included for your listening enjoyment in this single episode. Themes include money, greed, ambition, winter, creativity, homelessness, and inspiration.

#2 The Break In by Alexander Smith & The System by Ilan Herman

In The Break In a young lover tries to rendezvous with his unsuspecting girl. In The System two mafiosi try to take something they don't fully understand.

#3 Reach by Alexander Jones & Lamenting Voyeur by Guiseppi Paulino

Hear two short stories about the choices we make when we see someone in need. And we’ll explore what we feel when we don’t do the right thing and extend our help as we are taught we should. Our first selection, “Reach” is written by Alexander Jones, a frequent publisher of short fiction living in Jersey City. “Lamenting Voyeur” comes from Guiseppi Paulino, an emerging New England writer, voice actor, and chef.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Dear Podcast Listener,

Now more than ever, it is important for Americans to stop and listen to those we disagree with. The news is filled with drama from the presidential race and the police brutality protests in the NFL. It's easy to point our fingers and blame. But it's right to listen and try to understand.

As the editor of this podcast, I have the pleasure to sift through dozens of wonderful submissions and choose new, great work from writers across the country.

In a country dominated by New York and Los Angeles, many Southerners feel that their perspective gets swiped under the rug. In today's episode, CWO features two great Southern poets. I hope their words offer some perspective to you.

Sincerely,Alexander Smith, Editor of the CWO Podcast

Discover curated poetry from the Southern voice!

Where we grow up shapes us. Maybe not as much as other aspects of our lives, but the environments we have lived in mold us into the people we are today.

Learn more about the authors:

Danny P. Barbare's poetry has recently appeared in Hartskill Review, Fredericksburg Literary & Art Review, Homestead Review, Up the River, Merced River Literary Review, and America's Poetic Soul. He resides in the Upstate of the Carolinas. And has been writing poetry off and on for 35 years.

Jordan Lewandowski is a writer from Slapout, Alabama currently based out of Los Angeles. He is a former talent manager in Hollywood, and produced and acted in stage productions in theaters from Wiesbaden, Germany to Montgomery, Alabama. Currently, he is at work on his first volume of poetry being heard first on this podcast.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Life doesn't want to follow your plan...

One of the most poignant lessons I ever learned at a meditation retreat was that there really is nothing beyond our current experience. I'm not talking about the afterlife here. I'm talking about our waking existence now.

You don't meditate to find more life or to become a better person. You meditate to appreciate the life you have been given in this very moment.

Although this lesson is obvious, applying it to everyday life is extremely challenging. Our two short stories in this podcast episode explore that difficulty. What do we do when the life we have doesn't measure up to the one we dreamed about...?

Discover 2 stories with characters yearning for more!

In the first piece by Marc Littman titled "Roses", you'll meet an unhappy young marketing professional. When he's forced to take an assignment to "Hicksville", he learns a valuable life lesson.

In "I Always Wanted to Believe in Magic" the main character's life is a treadmill. She goes from home to her boring job to home with no one to share life's joys and pains with. Then, one moment she takes a risk and does something strange. But will it change her?

Learn more about the authors:

Marc Littman is a former journalist who has penned many short stories and been published in Flash Fiction Magazine, Flash Fiction Press, Long Story Short, Wildflower Muse and other publications. He has also self-published two novels, "Eddie and Me on the Scrap Heap" and "The Spirit Sherpa".

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Two prolific poets. Five new pieces...

Discover new poetry on the CWO Podcast now!

Click to listen to new work by Ben Nardolilli and Richard King Perkins II.

Learn more about the authors:

Ben Nardolilli currently lives in New York City. His work has appeared in Perigee Magazine, Red Fez, Danse Macabre, The 22 Magazine, Quail Bell Magazine, Elimae, fwriction, Inwood Indiana, Pear Noir, The Minetta Review, and Yes Poetry. He blogs at mirrorsponge.blogspot.com and is looking to publish a novel.

Richard King Perkins II is a state-sponsored advocate for residents in long-term care facilities. He lives in Crystal Lake, IL with his wife, Vickie and daughter, Sage. He is a three-time Pushcart nominee and a Best of the Net nominee. Writing for six years, his work has appeared in many publications including The Louisiana Review, Bluestem, Emrys Journal, Sierra Nevada Review, Roanoke Review, The Red Cedar Review and The William and Mary Review. He has poems forthcoming in Hawai’i Review, Sugar House Review, Plainsongs, Free State Review and Texas Review.

Download Episode 16 Today!

Subscribe, download, and listen to Creative Writing Outloud to support the podcast. When you do, you help us get featured on their platforms!

Discover a tale of family, legacy, and long-kept secrets!

Listen to what Emily does when her beloved aunt tells her about a buried treasure. Will she be able to keep her final promise to her aunt? Or will Emily decide Aunt Jody's secret is too much to bear? Listen to find out!

Learn more about the author:

Jenny Sturgill is an RN who lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her husband. Her work has been published in The Kentucky Explorer, The Indiana Voice Journal, The Storyteller, and The Pink Chameleon, among others. Find her book Against the Wind; How I survived my life with Grandma on Amazon.com today.

It's easy to brush off other's problems: They're not dealing with as much as me. They don't understand my struggle. They can't know my pain...

But if we don't reach out to our fellow humans, we will never connect and grow as a species...

Hear beautiful poetry & microfiction all in one podcast episode!

In Creative Writing Outloud's 14th episode, you get 8 pieces of poetry and 5 pieces of microfiction.

Learn more about the authors:

Mike Power is a writer and musician living in New York City. His fiction and poetry has appeared in Fat City Review and The Journal of Microfiction. Find his novel "The Zoo" from Cacoethes Publishing House. Read his writing on mikepowernyc.com.

Julisa Wilson is an American Poet residing in Los Angeles, California. Her work has been published by Hello Poetry and Young Celebrity News. A number of her spoken word pieces have garnered more than 20,000 views online. Follow her on all social media @julisamagazine or visit www.itsjulisa.com.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Fortunately, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault would be there to try to repopulate our food supply...

Yes, world leaders have a Plan B in case global warming wins, and we lose the land we stand on. But if life as we know it was lost, would logic still stand? Or would we seek out new alternatives, perhaps even fantastical ones, in order to build a better future?

Discover a unique blend of political commentary, Chinese philosophy, mysticism, and fantasy!

“Yu and The Goddess of the Garden” by Joseph Baron Pravda offers listeners a unique perspective on industrialization, global warming, and what life could be like if coastlines suddenly disappeared.

Born Brooklyn, NY, Joseph Baron Pravda began a career in law in 1971 and most notably worked with the Federal Government during Watergate, where he immediately Felt something was amiss. He has been a prolific writer in all genres, with an emphasis on short works, including microfiction/flash fiction as well as full length and One Act Plays he writes/paints/designs full time, his writing and visual art having been published in ebook and other electronic media, as well as print; Published by Clapboard House, Prompt and Circumstance, D.G. Flamand Books, Cordite, and more Learn more about Joseph Baron Pravda athttp://www.angrysponge.com/

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

I may be wrong, but things never seem to go according to plan...

What's the last curve ball life threw at you? A sudden or unwanted career change? Perhaps, a deal fell through at the last minute? Maybe a sudden death in the family?

We've all been told to make lemonade when life pelts us with lemons. But what if you don't have the tools to juice 'em? Here's one story where we examine just how sour lemonade can taste when its not sugarcoated...

The latest fiction from the 2016 Tennessee Williams Festival Finalist!

"A Subtle Gray" introduces you to Isle, a half-German, half-Filipino woman living in New Orleans. The story begins as Isle prepares to celebrate a bachelorette party in order to work through her deep emotional wounds. Themes of the piece touch on love and loss, racial identity, attraction, and resiliency.

Katarina Boudreaux is a writer, musician, composer, tango dancer, and teacher -- a shaper of word, sound, and mind. She returned to New Orleans after circuitous journeying. Her chapbook "Anatomy Lessons" is available from Flutter Press. Her play "Awake at 4:30" is a finalist in the 2016 Tennessee Williams Festival. Learn more at KatarinaBoudreaux.com.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Have you ever seen a sign? Is a higher power trying to speak to you? Perhaps your Alphabet Soup has spelled out a message...

In this humorous take on a real-life event, one middle-aged woman finds new purpose when she sees Jesus' face on her cheeseburger. Though skeptics confront her, she refuses to deny what she sees. And through her passion and faith, Myrtle rallies her Tallahassee community around her. Eventually, profiting big off The Jesus Burger...

A New, Juicy Comedy from Award-Winning Novelist Bob Kornhiser!

"The Jesus Burger" is just one of the short stories that Bob Kornhiser has been churning out recently. You can also listen to "Lewis & Clark," his other story featured on the podcast on episode 5.

Bob Kornhiser is an award winning novelist, playwright and film-maker who has recently turned his writing hand to short stories, many of which are suggested by contemporary news events. Find Bob's novel, "Crossing the Wire" on Amazon.com and his stylish film "Blood Kisses" on VHX.tv.

In January, Bob's play "Journey to the Sea of Palestine" was featured and well-received at an off-Broadway play festival in Manhattan.

Two poets. Two voices.

The first six poems written by Jake Tringali give us listeners a view into a creative world of passion and lust.

"Jake writes about the edges of society, and frequently about the things we no longer see...With a strong background in cyberpunk and the hard sciences, he has a focus on the intersection of technology and human interaction."

The spoken word piece, written and performed by Lord Bison, "Suddenly Here, Where It's Warm" offers us an unadulterated look into life in a neighborhood.

"Lord Bison represents a growing archetype of human beings who feel more comfortable on paper than they do in reality. Three parts writer to one part existentialist spoken word performer with an eye for detail who melds sex, the unchecked, dark corners of his mind, and social commentary into his prose."

Two stories with modern moral dillemas

Our first selection, “Reach” is written by Alexander Jones, a frequent and prolific publisher of short fiction living in Jersey City. “Lamenting Voyeur” comes from Guiseppi Paulino, an emerging New England writer, voice actor, and chef.

Download Episode 9 and You Send iTunes A Message!

When you subscribe, download, and listen to Creative Writing Outloud, iTunes notices. Subscribe and download today in order to help us get featured on their platform!

Listen to "Jeffrey" on episode 8 of the podcast. You can download now!

This Is CWO's First Horror Selection

In this macabre story by W.J. Renehan, you'll watch what starts as a loving relationship warp into something bizarre and terrifying. Jeffrey, a painter, and Allan, a writer, move in together shortly after meeting. Since Jeffrey inherited his parent's estate, money is not an issue. See how Jeffrey's obsession for Allan's love tears them apart.

When W.J. Renehan isn't glued to his typewriter, he serves as Editorial Director at Dark Hall Press,a publisher of first-quality Horror and Sci-Fi. He is an alumnus of Dean College, SUNY New Paltz, and the University of Rhode Island. Visit Amazon.com to view his work.

Download Episode 8 andYou Send iTunes A Message!

When you subscribe, download, and listen to Creative Writing Outloud, iTunes notices. Subscribe and download today in order to help us get featured on their platform!

Thank you so much for listening!

Friday, July 8, 2016

In our seventh installment of Creative Writing Outloud, you'll listen to brand-new poetry by New York poet and multimedia artist Ansel Oommen and writer Alexander Smith.

Play these 14-Minutes of Pure, Whimsical Poetry!

Ansel Oommen's The Lady Croissant Collection is a group of nonsensical poems that will tickle your imagination and stoke your creative thoughts. While his poem The Inshee will make you feel like you're living a nightmare...

The Grass Leads Me to the Forest is a reflective, meditative piece of poetry by Alexander Smith. Let the ambient music in the background take you into the forest where your imagination can run free with the sprites. This recording features a vocal performance by Rebecca Gilles and music by Ars Sonor.

CWO Called for Poets. They Responded...

In the wake of the Pulse Orlando shooting, poets from around the country wrote poetry responses to the tragedy...

On June 18, Creative Writing Outloud turned to social media asking American writers and poets to contribute responses to the Pulse Orlando Shooting that happened on June 12, 2016.Featured Poets: Charles Braddy, Alexander Smith, Nikali Noble, Aaron Christian Anderson

Download Episode 6: #SupportOrlando And Send iTunes A Message!

When you subscribe, download, and listen to Creative Writing Outloud, iTunes notices. But when you listen and share this special Pulse Orlando Memorial Episode, you also help remember those lost in the tragedy.

"Check out this new episode today. It'll both break your heart and give you hope for a brighter future."

Bob Kornhiser is an award winning novelist, playwright and film-maker who has recently turned his writing hand to short stories, many of which are suggested by contemporary news events. Find Bob's novel, "Crossing the Wire" on Amazon.com and his stylish film "Blood Kisses" on VHX.tv.In January, Bob's play "Journey to the Sea of Palestine" was featured and well-received at an off-Broadway play festival in Manhattan.

Bob Kornhiser was born in Brooklyn, NY in the dark ages of the borough, and has always lived in a very un-hip part of Brooklyn, two subway stops from Coney Island, for most of his life.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

As a way to honor the victims of the Pulse Orlando shooting and their families, Creative Writing Outloud will curate the "Pulse Orlando Memorial Episode" on our podcast.

To make this a reality, we're calling ‪‎poets‬ and ‎writers‬ to contribute brand-new work written in response to the tragedy on Sunday 6/12.

Creative writers have a unique voice in America and in the ‪LGBT‬ community. Therefore, we aim to collect a sampling of new work as a way to honor those lost in the massacre and as a way to enlighten those lost to hate.

We aim to feature a number of contributors on this episode. Therefore, entries are encouraged to be short:

-Fiction 500-800 words-Poetry 1 page or less

Deadline: Friday June 24, 2016 11:59 p.m.

Please email info@creativewritingoutloud.com for more information and to submit your work.

And SHARE this call for writers with your friends and family on Facebook today!

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Do you want fresh poetry from New England? We've got several new pieces to share with you that are sure to get you excited.

Episode 4 has new poetry from New Englanders Jenna-Nichole Conrad and Alexander Smith.

Jenna-Nichole is an autodidact, intersectional feminist, poet, activist, and bibliophile experiencing life in and around Massachusetts. Visit her portfolio on clippings.me/jennanicholeconrad or email her at SharpSoulPoetics@gmail.com.

Alexander Smith is a fiction writer, poet, and freelance writer living in Providence, RI. His book of poems, "For Poets Must Love" is available on Amazon for your Kindle. Follow him on Twitter today -https://twitter.com/AlexanderWrites

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

In an effort to share the newest and greatest poetry and short fiction available in America today, Creative Writing Outloud accepted submissions from writers across the country. While this literary podcast will publish one episode per week, today, on our launch day, we have three different episodes to share.

CWO Launches with 3 Episodes. That's Tons of New Literature and Poetry for You...

The podcast launched with 3 complete episodes because we want to keep you entertained!

Saturday, May 7, 2016

On June 7, the CWO podcast launches with a bunch of new content from contributing writers from all over the country. You will have immediate access to 3 episodes. Download all three for free. You'll listen to Alexander Smith narrate these brand-new creative works in the perfect podcast format for easy listening on your commute or while you're relaxing at home. Like and share this post if you enjoy new stories.